Probiotics-delivering hydrogel formulation for protecting probiotics in acidic environment and composition for delivering probiotics comprising same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydrogel formulation for delivering probiotics including a hydrogel, probiotics and zwitterionic buffer as an active ingredient, a composition for delivering probiotics comprising the same and a method of preparing the same, which adjust and maintain the internal pH of the hydrogel even in the gastric juice environment, thereby increasing the survival rate of the probiotics in the gastric juice and improving the delivery rate to the large intestine, by further adding zwitterionic buffer capable of maintaining pH to the hydrogel encapsulated with probiotics.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a hydrogel formulation for delivering probiotics comprising a hydrogel, probiotics and zwitterionic buffer as an active ingredient, a composition for delivering probiotics comprising the same and a method of preparing the same.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Probiotics are live bacteria and bacteria that help health by being taken in reasonable amount (FAO / WHO, 2012). In general, probiotics function in a living state in the intestine, and are effective for various diseases such as IBD, diarrhea, obesity and cancer as well as health promotion by control of intestinal immune function. To this end, the survival rate of probiotics must be ensured at all stages of production, storage and ingestion. In particular, probiotics after ingestion should not die by the gastric acid in a stomach and a sufficient amount of live bacteria must reach in an intestine. To this end, methods of taking a greater number of probiotics or encapsulating them in a prob...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a hydrogel formulation that can deliver probiotics to the intestine effectively. The formulation has a short external exposure time of the bacteria, does not cause any reaction with other substances added for pH control, and physically blocks H+ ions while maintaining a proper pH by actively neutralizing H+ ions. The method of producing the formulation is easy and can be done by simple methods of bacteria harvest after culture, mixing, and gelling. Overall, this invention provides a more efficient way of delivering probiotics to the intestine.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, the product containing the largest number of probiotics, i.e. 4.3×1011 CFU / sachet contains about 10 times as many live bacteria than the general probiotics, but there is a limit in terms of price.

In addition, although various delivery systems have been discussed, there are difficulties such as insufficient protection effect or no release at the target location (a), complex processes (b) or reduced viable count and functional loss in the encapsulation process.

In the case of probiotics delivery systems, the use of high temperatures, shear forces, pressures, osmotic pressure and organic solvents during the entire production process from incubation to ingestion, may result in reduced viable count and function.

In addition, the additional processes for providing additional protection effect not only increases the cost burden, but also generates functional loss by prolonging the exposure time of the anaerobic probiotics to the external environment and reacting the added carrier material with the probiotics.

Through this, there is a difficulty in research and development and mass production in that the delivery system itself does not react with the probiotics, and the probiotics must be protected in various stress environments and also they must be completely released from the small and large intestine.

Images